Actinobacillus suis | |
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Actinobacillus suis colonies on blood agar | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Bacteria |
Phylum: | Pseudomonadota |
Class: | Gammaproteobacteria |
Order: | Pasteurellales |
Family: | Pasteurellaceae |
Genus: | Actinobacillus |
Species: | A. suis
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Binomial name | |
Actinobacillus suis van Dorssen and Jaartsveld 1962 (Approved Lists 1980)
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Actinobacillus suis is a beta-haemolytic, Gram-negative bacterium of the family Pasteurellaceae. The bacterium has many strains and is the pathogen responsible for actinobacillosis in pigs of all ages. It can also infect wild birds, domestic ruminants, dogs, cats, and horses. The organism can be found in the respiratory tract and tonsils of both infected and healthy pigs that act as carriers. Transmission is via the respiratory tract and piglets are usually infected early on in life. Herds with a high health status are more at risk and outbreaks can be explosive.